Small Town Voices and Stories: Rural Older Populations and Health Narratives

Abstract

Stories play a vital role in our humanity; they help us understand the world around us. As we age, our experiences, along with those of the people around us, shape our perceptions of health and influence our healthcare choices. For older adults, narratives become an essential resource in making healthcare decisions. In rural communities like Coles County, Illinois, these stories are especially important for older adults who are navigating the limited care and services available in the area. This reliance on narratives impacts their willingness to seek care, highlighting the need to recognize the power of stories in empowering older adults within patient-provider relationships. This project explores how Walter Fisher’s Narrative Paradigm can help us understand that narratives can compensate for gaps in health literacy among rural older adults. This can lead to either a willingness or reluctance to pursue adequate care when necessary. This project aims to raise awareness among communication scholars and healthcare practitioners about the importance of utilizing narratives in ways that empower older adults in rural areas within patient-provider relationships through stories.

Date of Award	2025
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	Eastern Illinois University
Supervisor	Elizabeth Gill (Supervisor)